Chris Usher’s Funeral was today, Thursday 20th February 2014, here are funeral pictures, plus photos of the KOYLI in which he served.

It was a sad occasion that Chris had left us, but in the same breath I must state that the number of his comrades and his family and friends filled the church.

There was a Guard of Honour with the Association Colours of the KOYLI, which Chris always carried and other Colours, Colin Ward was the I/C Colour Guard, who brought us to attention as the horse driven carriage reached the church gates, Chris’s male relatives carried the coffin up the rickety ancient path, I could see the heart ache in their faces as they carried Chris’s coffin

As the pallbearers entered the church the sound of the Light Infantry Buglers and band played the beautiful sound of ‘High on a Hill’, Chris had requested this on instructions he left with his daughter Angela, as he was the one who wanted a horse driven hearse, he knew he was dying, so he put his affairs in order.

The church was packed by the time we went in, a lovely Catholic service was given by Father David Letheridge, a kindly man, who talked of Chris’s life in great detail, the coffin was draped with the Union Jack and the KOYLI Association Colours belonging to Pete Bate. After the service in the church, Pete and I departed to the Thurnscoe Cemetery, where we had been a few times with Chris and standard bearer colours, and with Pete playing the bugle.

It was sometime later that the family arrived at the graveside, then the limousine hearse arrived with the flowers, of which I photographed, it was a dramatic moment, when we heard the horses hooves as they cantered down the old road towards us, the plumes on the horses heads, waving around in the wind, the lady hearse driver in full command of the horses.

Colin Ward in charge of the Guard of Honour brought the standard bearers to attention, as Chris was carried to the graveside, he was lowered into the empty grave with priest blessing the coffin as it was being lowered, there was a great deal of crying from Chris’s family, as they finally knew Chris was going to Heaven, he would now be free from the pain.

Pete played a faultless Last Post, as the spirit rests, the standards are lowered, after one minute, Pete played the KOYLI Reveille, the standards are raised,where the spirit re-asserts itself into the new world, in Chris’s case Heaven, God Bless mate, you were the best, your mate Les Parkin.

Chris was born on 10th January 1942. He died on 5th February 2014.

Above photograph taken in August 2011

It is with great sadness that I must inform Chris’s friends worldwide that he died on the 5th February 2014, after battling with cancer, a terrible shock to all his army family friends, we offer our sincere condolences to his close family. Rest in Peace Chris, stand down your duty is done,

God Bless, Cede Nullis,

Les Parkin

Chris with his family

A good friend Chris, he was a worker, even though he was so unwell having kidney problems, having to have Dialysis treatment three times per week then fighting cancer he still did his unfailing duty and parade with the KOYLI banner at most functions when he could, my sincere condolences to his family, Rest in peace Chris

Les Parkin

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Sad news indeed. Condolences to his Family. RIP Chris

Harry Finley

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Very sad news about Chris, my condolences to his family.

Ted Brown

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Yes, very sad news, RIP Chris.

Les Turner

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Dear old Chris always smart on Parade.. please pass my condolences to his family R.I.P ..Chris

…..Cede Nuills

David Fill

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Sorry to see another part of our regimental family has been stood down RIP Chris.

Ronnie Barrow

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Sorry to hear of Chris passing away, my condolences go out to his family.

Brian Fill

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Chris you flew the standard where ever it was needed. Now the standard will look after you old friend, so rest in peace. Give our condolences to his family

Jim Lancaster

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Hi

Sorry I cant attend. Just remembered I will be at the hospital on that day and time, Cardiology department. But will be thinking of him.

Jim Lancaster

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Sad news indeed please pass on my condolences to his family

Michael Fill

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Sorry to find out Chris has passed away, he has suffered for a long time with cancer, but now he is at peace, he was a credit to the memory’s of the KOYLI & LI and we could guarantee unless he was poorly he would be at different functions with the Regiments Standard , all that knew Chris will miss him, I have to take my wife to Donny hospital on the 20th and the appointment is at 0845a. If possible I will attend his funeral, RIP old soldier

Ken Cowen

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RIP Chris give my condolences to his family

Roy Alder

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RIP Chris, my condolences to his family..

Mick Bradley

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Give our condolences to Chris and his family for us RIP Chris

Fred & Brenda Howard

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Sadly missed, Chris was always there at meetings, a KOYLI Light Infantryman to the end Condolence to the family, RIP Chris

Stan Green

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Hi,

Very sad to hear that Chris has passed away, a very gallant and consciences member of the Regiment and as Ken mentioned, he would attend with the Standard at all events.

I do not know if Chris had any family living, may be Pete Shields would know as Chris lived near him. He will be missed and remember by many members of the Regiment.

Rest in peace old soldier.

Tim Humphreys

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Hi All,

Chris Ushers funeral will take place on Thursday 20th February at 1115 in St Hildas Church, High Street, Thurnscoe, Internment in Thurnscoe Cemetery.

Doc

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Sorry to hear about Chris Les, I was hoping to see him at the Malay & Borneo Vet’s meeting later this month.

Malcolm Moore

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Hi Les.Sorry to hear this sad news. Condolences to his family. RIP Chris.

Eric Gilbert

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Sad news condolences to his family

Jim Mathieson

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Hi Les and all, Colin Ward has just phoned me with the details of his funeral as follows

11-15 am on the 20th February 2014

St Helens Church

High Street,

Thurnscoe

It is always sad to hear another one of the old Battalion KOYLI is taken from us. Chris Usher was one of the best, at all the function he would turn up no matter what the weather was like. He attended all funerals, stood with the Standard, and lowered it when Pete Bate played the LAST POST he will be sadly missed by all that knew him. Deepest sympathy and condolences to his family.

from Ann and Alan Yates , RIP Chris

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We are very sorry to hear that Chris has passed away, my family and I have known chris for many years, Chris and John my late husband were standard bearers together, our deepest sympathy. Rest in Peace Chris you were a great friend.

Pauline, Carri-ann Cox, and family

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A sad loss. RIP

Percy Potts

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Hi Les
Thanks for the information regarding Chris, I am sorry to hear of his untimely passing. Chris was in 5Pl when I joined the Bn in Malacca, we served together during the Borneo tour 1963- 64. He was a fine soldier who contributed a great deal in what were at times trying circumstances Please pass on my sincere regrets to his family.

Dave Manby KOYLI 2LI

K. O. Y. L. I. – L I – RIFLES ASSOCIATION LEEDS BRANCH.

Many Many thanks to Phil Johnson and members of the KOYLI -LILeeds Branch who have kindly added their thoughts on this thread,Chris’s daughters will have great comfort from this

Recieved this message from my mate Pete, he had to have a foot removed, he is a very strong minded bloke, he has a lovely wife Heather, who has cared for him, a great support

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Dr Pete Shepherd, above

Hi Les

How are you doing?

I have got my leg now but it needs adjusting as it is too long, hopefully this will be done on Tuesday. I have to take it easy and only wear it for a few hours at the time, then gradually increase it too all day. If all goes well hope to see everyone at the reunion next year.I have got a new car but had to have hand controls put in, but Heather can still use it as normal. Had to have some driving lessons as it is a different type of driving, then take a test. All the best Pete and Heather

Sad news for us all who knew Major Dinwiddie, an officer and gentleman

Les

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Taken:- 50th Anniversary KOYLI departure to Malaya

Sirs, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is with deep regret that I have to inform you of the sad death of

Major D.J. Dinwiddie. David died peacefully last evening, Monday 30th September at The Royal British Legion home, Lister House, Ripon.

David’s funeral will take place at Knayton, Thirsk, North Yorkshire and details of the date and time will be made known as soon as possible.

David began his career as a Second Lieutenant 02/08/1957 with KOYLI.

Lieutenant 02/08/1959. Captain 02/08/1963. LI 10/07/1968. Major 30/06/1970. Retired 10/10/1977. ADC to GOC West Midland District 04/1967 to 04/1968. Served with 1 KOYLI in Malaya and Borneo.

Adjutant 4th KOYLI 02/08/1965 to 01/02/1967. GSO 2 (MA) to DCOS

(Log) HQ AFNORTH 14/05/1973 to 15/05/1975. Operational service

Malaysia and Northern Ireland.

Respectfully, Maxine Pryce

Tributes to David :-

David Fill: –

He was my O.C in Colchester and N.I Looked after us well …Please pass on my condolences to his Family

Percy Potts :-

David Dinwiddie was one of natures gentlemen, he was Intelligence Officer in Berlin for a short time. I bumped into him in Middlesbrough whilst I was serving as a Police Officer, he was striding along Albert Road at 140 to the minute, he was working as a solicitor. Very sad. I shall try to get to his funeral, Knayton is only 20 minutes from me.

RIP Cede Nullis

Harry Finley :-

This is sad news. I first met David D in 1969 in MOD AG2 when he was a Staff Captain (SO3 in new money).

As Percy says, he was one of natures gentlemen.

Eric Gilbert:-

So sorry to hear this sad news. From what I can recall, he was always very strict but also very fair, smart, and a Gentleman.

Brian Filll;-

Sad news about Major Dinwiddie, he was a fine man and an Officer and a gentleman

My condolences to his family.

Tony Addy

The one thing that I remember about the Capt, was he had us on a muster parade in the jungle, some one had put the watch forward that we were using for guard,. I don’t remember why he was over the Buglers at that time.

David John Connelly

I remember him joining the bn. He was a gentleman. My wife worked with him in s solictors office in Yarm

has nothing but kind words for him RIP

Jim Mathieson

My condolences to his family he was a gentleman.

Malcolm Moore

My sorry to hear, that Major David Dinwiddie has passed away, R.I.P. David.

Alan Yates:

I first met David Dinwiddie in the Officers Mess in 1959 when I worked as a barman in Hilden, he was a gentleman, last time I spoke to him was at York Minster last year, R I P David

Stan Green

Sorry to hear the passing of Major David Dinwiddie, met him a couple of years ago in Leeds Town Hall after the freedom parade, a true gentleman, and he remembered me from the Int. Section Berlin. My condolence to his family.

Ken Cowen

Hi Les,

Met up with David Dinwiddie and his wife at the opening of the KOYLI museum in Doncaster, we had a chat,,

I remember him been a smart guy and very strict, please pass my condolence’s to his family. Ken.

Arnie Fothergill

Hi Les Thanks for letting me know about Major Dinwiddie. He was a nice man different from the others. Thanks again Best wishes old friend,

Harry Finley’s is updated annually when the L.I journal is published, I have asked Eric Gilbert if he can update his ‘KOYLI 2LI Fallen’as and when we sadly lose one of our friends, he has agreed to do this, by sending me an updated PDF and I will re insert on here.
There has to be a strong confirmation of a Veterans death, not by rumour or hear say, before he can be placed in the database.Les Parkin, Blog author

Two excellent PDF’s showing sadly our loss of so many of our veterans and friends, put together by Eric Gilbert and Harry Finley

Eric Says :-

When Les Parkin’s KOYLI.com went down, we lost a very good Remembrance Page, with obituaries and photographs. We managed to salvage much, if not all, of this, but without the obituaries and photographs.These details are shown below in PDF Format, and cover KOYLI and 2LI, reported from a variety of sources .May take a short while to load.

Since 1968, Harry Finley has kept an up to date record of ALL Light Infantrymen whose deaths have been recorded in The Silver Bugle.This is also in PDF Format. Harry has kindly given permission for the use of this document.May take a short while to load,
Harry updates his data base annually when the journal is published